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Collective Pitch Response
I am running +/- 12 degrees in idle-up 1, and a very aggressive +/- 14 degrees in idle-up 2. In idle-up 1, the model can handle full pitch climb-outs, and rockets out with ballistic speed. In idle 2 there is enough pitch to bog the head, but having the extra "pop" available really make the model snappy. You can dip in that extra two degrees of pitch for an instant to initiate quick climb-outs or to accent maneuvers. Maneuvers like tic tocks become very quick with lots of authority with the extra pitch range. It feels light and powerful, and you can sling it around with the best of them.
Tail Rotor Response/Control
The tails is very smooth and precise, although I did have to run a fairly low gain value. I settled at 26 as shown on the gyro screen for idle-up 2, and 27 for idle-up 1. The tail can handle anything you throw at it. It's very fast and has enough authority to hold through the most demanding maneuvers. The tail holds solid through fast backward and sideways flight without ever wandering, wagging or blowing out. There is enough tail authority to hold solid even with extreme pitch inputs. There is enough tail authority to hold solid even with extreme pitch inputs. There is very little drag from the tail-most noticeable during autorotations. The helicopter floats exceptionally well.
Rating 5
Post Flight Inspection
There is nothing major to note, but several small areas to pay attention to. The canopy grommers did not like the nitro fuel and had to be replaced after a dozen flights. After a dozen flights, the one-way bearing on the main gear for autorotations started to seize. When this happens it can be broken free and will operate normally again for some period of time, but even with liberally application of grease, this bearing continued to lock up occasionally. Fortunately, the clutch assembly is so smooth you can hardly notice it when the auto bearing seizes. The heli has no problem doing an extending atuo with the extra drag of driving the clutch.
Rating 3.5
Conclusion
The Nitro T-Rex 600 is an excellent first nitro product. It is light, nimble, accurate, and smooth. I started feeling really comfortable with the heli after only half a dozen flights, and after a dozen flights I was getting it down on the deck and doing my usual routine with no problems. Regardless of the low weight, it flew much better in the wind than I expected. With the extreme pitch range I am running, It pops and moves with authority, and although you can bog it easily with this much pitch, it is tame and manageable with the pitch range set to +/- 10 degrees. This helicopter could even make a great trainer, although I would recommend the belt drive version, as the tail gears in the torque drive are known to be delicate if you drag the tail on the ground. All in all, Align has produced a helicopter that is very competitively priced, builds easily, runs smoothly, flies excellently, and is ones of the lightest in its class.
Building & Setup Tips
The Nitro Pro T-Rex 600 builds very easily. The manual is complete, the parts fit well, and there is not much else that needs to be addressed. If you've built and flown another Nitro 50, you'll find this build a cakewalk. If you've built an electric T-Rex 600, you'll also find this build easy. Here are a few things you should watch out for:
We used Hitec swash servos, and they sit higher than many servos. Even with the servo horns trimmed down as far as possible, we were still rubbing slightly on the inside of the canopy. To alleviate this, we used a couple of extra washer under the canopy rubber bumpers.
The frame has as mounting location for the Futaba GV-1 governor sensor on the inside, above the cooling shroud. We used the Model Avionics Throttle Jockey which has a slightly different magnet sensor. We were able to cut down a mounting bracket provided with the Throttle Jockey and glue it up to the inside of the frame with Goop. The screw holes that were already provided were then used for a zip tie to hold the assembly firmly in place.
The Specifics
Manufacturer: Align
Distributor: Assurance RC Distributor
Web www.alignrcusa.com
Heli Info
Helicopter: Nitro Pro T-Rex 600
Class: 50-size nitro
Part #: KX0160NPA
Street Price: $599.99
Price As Tested: $2515
Setup Time: 8 Hours
Experience Level: Intermediate to Expert
Gearing
Main Rotor to Pinion Gear Ration: 1:8.5
Tail Motor to Tail gear Ratio: 1.4:5
Testing Specs
Mode flown: Normal, Idle-up 1, Idle-up 2
RPM of each mode; 1750, 1950, 2100
Pitch Curves
Normal: Low Stick -5; Mid Stick 0; High Stick +10
Idle-up 1: Low Stick -12; Mid Stick 0; High Stick +12
Idle-up2: Low Stick -14; Mid Stick 0; High Stick +14
Test Conditions
Weather: Cloudy
Temp/Humidity: 59 degrees Fahrenheit, 74%
Barometirc Pressure: 30.02
Wind Speed: 5mph
Wind Direction: SSW
Visibility: 3 Miles
Altitude: 650 feet
Technical Info
Fuselage Material: Farbon fiber, plastic and machined aluminum
Canopy Material: Pre-painted fiberglass
Flight Time: 9 minutes
Blade size: 600-620mm
Rotor head control: 120 degree CCPM
Tail System: Torque tube shaft drive
Required To Fly
CCPM capable transmitter, receiver, three matching servos for the swash, throttle servo, gyro and matching servo, main blades, 50 size engine and muffler, metric building tools, started with 6mm hex adaptor, glow igniter, fuel and pump
Who's It For?
Pilots who want a lightweight, nimble heli. Anyone who won't accidentally bump the tail on the ground all the time is ready to fly this machine.
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